Most business owners, both large and small, do some form of networking.
The intent is to make new connections, assist other business owners in their quest to build their firms, and receive leads or key information to help with their own business or personal development.
While much time may be spent on, “Here’s who we know, who do you know?”, these meetings are ideal opportunities to educate key contacts on your firm’s past history, outstanding accomplishments and plans for future growth.
In essence they become a series of mini public relations opportunities that can be used to bolster your firm’s brand, awareness and overall reputation.
Here are five ways to get the most PR value from these meetings.
1. Develop a strategy. Instead of just showing up for a meet and greet, put together a strategy of what you wish to communicate. Determine what it is you would like your connection to know about you and your firm. Create a game plan and do your best to stick to it.
2. Discuss the format in advance of the meeting. Connect with the guest in advance and determine what both you and they expect to gain from the meeting. Whether it is to generate some hard sales leads, communicate general information or discuss the local marketplace, connecting in advance will help you keep the meeting on-point and make it more productive.
3. Play a little “Show and Tell”. It’s easy to talk about your company for hours on end, but it is better to actually show a new connection your business successes. Never hesitate to bring a laptop and showcase some of your company’s earned media with print articles and/or TV and radio interviews. You can also use the time to play your corporate video and other similar items. This will give your contact a much better idea of your business operation and plans for moving forward.
4. Highlight your company’s reputation as a solutions provider. Most companies are in business to help their clients overcome problems. They provide a valuable service to help their customers achieve their goals. Whether it’s accounting, healthcare, law, public relations or technology related, your meeting may be focused on helping your connection overcome a current problem or key issue. Showcasing some case studies and highlighting your work reinforces your firm’s expertise and ability to help overcome obstacles.
5. Follow-up in a timely manner. Should your connection request information or expect to hear from you regarding some contact names and phone numbers, your goal is to respond as quickly as possible. Many times this gets put off, if not forgotten. A quick response demonstrates that you value your contact and their time, and highlights your professionalism as a “can-do” person. The follow-up provides a nice touch of what he/she could expect from your firm should they wish to engage your services or what their connections might expect should they wish to recommend your services.
For more PR and marketing tips visit Solomon Turner PR
